Temples distribute free Laba porridge

Temples across the country celebrated the traditional festival of Laba by giving free porridge to the public on Jan 22, 2010.

The custom of eating Laba congee (porridge with nuts and dried fruits) became popular in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), with royal families distributing the porridge to the poor.

Nowadays, Buddhists give out Laba congee not to feed the poor but to persuade people to live to their lives on principles, Master Dai from the Yonghegong Lama Temple was quoted as saying in a report. For people from various religions and races, they feel they get close to each other after eating a bowl of porridge together, he said.